XC-142 Mock-up

     Continuing with the Mock-up theme, here are a few images from the VAHF collection with the XC-142 mock-up as the subject. The mock-up was full size and had a separate section in the hangar for VIP presentations, mock-up board and engineering work.

CVPR-3845-XC-142-Mock-up-Right-Front-Overhead-VAHF-Collection

    This upper view shows the walkways for inspecting and servicing the XC-142 along with the hatches that allow access to the top of the aircraft.

CVPR-3846-XC-142-Mock-up-Left-Rear-Overhead-VAHF Collection

    The XC-142 was a combined project with Vought-Hiller-Ryan. The aircraft was innovative, as well as complicated, for it's time. Linking two engines on the XV-15 and V-22 is a technical challenge, imagine the complexity in linking four turboprop engines and propellers together. And if that was not enough make it a tilt wing for STOL/VTOL operations off of unimproved fields.

CVPR-3856-XC-142-Mock-up-Right-Front-Wing-Vertical-VAHF Collection

     The obvious needs of the four engines are visible in this cockpit image. The center panel is dominated with engine instruments, there are four fire handles on the glare-shield along with the four power levers on the center console. Interestingly the gauges are all turned with the indicator needles pointing to the left rather than having the gauges mounted with the proper orientation to the painted markings of the instrument faces.

CVPR-4010-XC-142-Mock-up-Cockpit-VAHF Collection

     Far more detailed than the OS2U Mock-up of the 1930's, the XC-142 featured retractable landing gear, outfitted cargo compartment and cockpit. Other working features included a tilt-able wing and flaps along with engine mock-ups. Unlike the OS2U there was no radioman-gunner on-board.

     This interior view shows a mix of two different configurations with web troop seats on the left and casualty litters on the right. Just a couple of different missions envisioned for the C-142A.

CVPR-4011-XC-142-Mock-up-Interior-VAHF Collection

    

 The final image in this post shows an Army artillery piece being loaded into the mock-ups cargo compartment. A set of two doors opened to give full access to the cargo compartment. Fold-able ramps completed the accessories needed for smooth loading and unloading of the cargo compartment.

CVPR-4172-XC-142-Mock-up-Artillery-loading-VAHF Collection

More XC-142A

Some additional great images to add to the post about the 50th anniversary of the first flights of the XC-142A.  More on this interesting aircraft and the CARA version in posts to come.

XC-142A Configuration Description, courtesy VAHF Archives

Cutaway view of XC-142A, courtesy VAHF Archives

Giving some idea of the complexity of the XC-142, here is an illustration of the drive system for all five of the propellers, courtesy VAHF Archives.

Rigging model in the low speed wind tunnel, courtesy VAHF Archives

General Electric T-64 Engine with gearbox and propeller assembly, courtesy VAHF Archives.

 The number two XC-142A moving down the taxi way with the wing in the forward flight position, courtesy VAHF Archives.

 Another image of the number two XC-142A on the taxi way with the wing tilted up in the vertical flight position, courtesy VAHF Archives.

50th Anniversary of XC-142A First Conventional Flight and First Transitional Flight

     Born in a Joint Services requirement for a V/STOL transport. A winning bid was submitted by a combined  Vought-Hiller-Ryan team with Vought being the prime contractor. the VHR-447 design which became the XC-142A. The award was for five aircraft serial numbers 62-5921 to 62-5925.

Artists Concept of the Joint Services V/STOL Transport. Photo courtesy Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation (VAHF).

Nice image of the XC-142A mockup with the landing gear retracted and the wing in conventional flight setting. Photo courtesy VAHF.

Another great image, this time the first XC-142 62-5921 on the engine test stand at the Grand Prairie Vought plant. Photo courtesy VAHF

The XC-142A first flew on Sept. 29, 1964. The flight was accomplished with conventional take-off and landing. On Jan. 11, 1965 the XC-142A completed its first transitional flight taking off vertically, transitioning to conventional flight and returning to land vertically. 

Here is an image of the survivng XC-142A 62-5924 during drop testing at NAPF El Centro California. Photo courtesy of  VAHF.

The XC-142A aircraft were extensively tested by the military services. At one time three of the five aircraft were participating in testing in California at the same time. There is a video link at the end of this post that leads to a digitized film of the XC-142 testing.

Painted up for it's 1967 visit to the Paris Air Show is 62-5924 on approach for a STOL landing. Photo courtesy of VAHF.

During it's time it was the largest and fastest V/STOL aircraft. Capable of a 400 mph forward speed and a reverse speed of 35 mph. Unfortunately technical problems, accidents and changing needs spelled the end of the program. Of the five XC-142As built, only one aircraft survives today. 62-5924 went on to serve with NASA as NASA 522 and is currently on display in the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Here are some links for additional information about the XC-142A.

Vought Aircraft Heritage XC-142 webpage

NMUSAF XC-142A Factsheet

My photos of NASA 522

Here are links to several videos of the XC-142A:

XC-142A Operational Suitability Testing

XC-142 VTOL Terminal Area Flight Program 1970 NASA Langley Research Center

Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) XC-142